Low Profile Roof Rack Options?

[Markuson]

I've searched already...but wonder if y'all might have found something I haven't...

So I love the Front Runner system...but I don't like how HIGH it extends upward. I know they have a table you can mount under it...but sheesh. The rack is 6 inches tall.

I see this Baja Rack "Utility (flat) Rack" (picture below) and I love how low-profile it is...
But... it seems to use somewhat odd, proprietary accessory mounts with very limited accessory options.

Here's a shot of how nice and low it sits:

I post this here simply because evey once in a while, folks here seem to post about items I never run across on-line.

Anyone have any leads on a rack that sits super low, but that offers more attachment options?

Thanks! -Markuson

 

[kevinfoutch]

I'm getting my Gobi Stealth Rack installed next week, so you will have to search for others' photos in the meantime (sorry!). It has Yakima/Thule compatible crossbars and can be ordered as fixed / removable. I'm going to use it for my Yakima Sky Box and Titan Rod Vault primarily, plus whatever luggage / cargo / occasional sheet of plywood / etc....

Has a lot of accessories for jerry cans, spare tires, hilift jacks, shovels/axe, plus a side-rail with enough rope to give you plenty of options.

May not be 'super low' as I believe this rack increases overall height by 3" over the factory rails, or 6" over the roof itself as you will remove factory rails during install.

Very flexible for my needs, not sure if you gave them a look?

 

[Bomar]

www.prinsudesignstudio.com


This guy makes a sweet rack. I am hoping sometime soon he makes for 100 series.

 

[Markuson]

I'm getting my Gobi Stealth Rack installed next week, so you will have to search for others' photos in the meantime (sorry!). It has Yakima/Thule compatible crossbars and can be ordered as fixed / removable. I'm going to use it for my Yakima Sky Box and Titan Rod Vault primarily, plus whatever luggage / cargo / occasional sheet of plywood / etc....

Has a lot of accessories for jerry cans, spare tires, hilift jacks, shovels/axe, plus a side-rail with enough rope to give you plenty of options.

May not be 'super low' as I believe this rack increases overall height by 3" over the factory rails, or 6" over the roof itself as you will remove factory rails during install.

Very flexible for my needs, not sure if you gave them a look?

Thanks kevinfoutch. I'll check it out...but... 6" is the same height as the other rack that I'm hoping to shorten. Wondering if it really extends the roof's high point by that when mounted though. Maybe not.

Thanks for responding.

Markuson

 

[Markuson]

www.prinsudesignstudio.com


This guy makes a sweet rack. I am hoping sometime soon he makes for 100 series.

That looks very interesting! Curious if anyone here has one...

I'm also wondering if the 6" measurement on the Front Runner is really how high it sits at it's highest point...or if it's actually lower than that, but includes the taller front section that curves downward with the front of the roof-line.

**Anyone with a Front-Runner have actually height measurements comparing the highest roofline point and the highest Front Runner point when mounted?

Markuson

 

[Willy beamin]

why don't you bug @benc in the 100 forum as he is making waves with his welding and fab skills. all he needs is a 200 and he can prototype up something. I PM'd him a while back before I purchased my rack because he has a low profile ,body contouring concept going on. If you're not in a rush I'd wait and see what he comes up with.

 

[Markuson]

why don't you bug @benc in the 100 forum as he is making waves with his welding and fab skills. all he needs is a 200 and he can prototype up something. I PM'd him a while back before I purchased my rack because he has a low profile ,body contouring concept going on. If you're not in a rush I'd wait and see what he comes up with.

Good tip. Thanks. Ya, I'm willing to wait.

I have other build element first...and can't afford them all at once like I could with my 100.
Never knew how PAINFUL it is to streeeeeetch mods out over time!

Wheels: Done (Rock W)
Tires: Check (KO2s for now)
BP-51's: Check (not installed yet)

In the on-deck circle:

(To you cricket and footballers, that's a Baseball term for the next player to swing the bat.

-Slee Sliders
-Drawers
-Two Battery setup
-Front Bumper/Winch
-Lights
-Rear Bumper
-Compressor
-Lockers
-Roof Rack
-35's/gear(?)
-Fridge
-Wife (after me wife dumps me for spending too much on me Cruiser! Heehee...)

Wish I could do them all next week...

Markuson

 

[Bomar]

@619TOY is the guy with the prinsu rack.

 

[Markuson]

@619TOY is the guy with the prinsu rack.

Thanks. Will look to see if he has photos.

 

[Willy beamin]

I will say this - I had my doubts when I was looking , purchasing and unpacking my frontrunner slimline 2 for the same reasons you stated 6"+, however it has totally grown on me now and I would not change a thing - I just avoid parking garages at all costs. Yes I'd love to pay someone to plasma cut a few inch's out of the rail height and weld it back together but that's cost I'd rather not dump into it. Its way to easy to over analyze - I know - I do it.

 

[Markuson]

I will say this - I had my doubts when I was looking , purchasing and unpacking my frontrunner slimline 2 for the same reasons you stated 6"+, however it has totally grown on me now and I would not change a thing - I just avoid parking garages at all costs. Yes I'd love to pay someone to plasma cut a few inch's out of the rail height and weld it back together but that's cost I'd rather not dump into it. Its way to easy to over analyze - I know - I do it.

Ya... Living in Southern PRK (People's Republic of Kalifornia), parking garages are all over the place...

It really can create a problem if you can't use them...especially at hospitals, downtown, etc.

 

[TexAZ]

check out @dmc s picture of the prinsu rack. i'm diggin' it. my vote would be either prinsu or Gobi. $$$$ may be a deciding factor...

 

[Markuson]

check out @dmc s picture of the prinsu rack. i'm diggin' it. my vote would be either prinsu or Gobi. $$$$ may be a deciding factor...

Ya, that does look nice & looks pretty low in the middle. Thanks!

 

[TexAZ]

we visited pacific beach over labor day. I couldn't come close to fitting in the parking garage at the condo. I think everyone there drives a prius or a longboard...

 

[steenh]

I pulled up the prinsu site and it looks like a real bargain. Wonder about accessories though. Guess 619 can chime in... didn't realize that's what he had installed (didn't know Prinsu existed then) in Ouray or I'd have taken a look.

 

[Markuson]

I pulled up the prinsu site and it looks like a real bargain. Wonder about accessories though. Guess 619 can chime in... didn't realize that's what he had installed (didn't know Prinsu existed then) in Ouray or I'd have taken a look.

Agree that it seems like a reasonable price. Also curious about compatibility with accessories...

 

[Willy beamin]

Remember this, front runner is a complete engineered system. No goofy odd ball clamps and such. The height of the rack is what it is.

 

[Markuson]

Remember this, front runner is a complete engineered system. No goofy odd ball clamps and such. The height of the rack is what it is.

Ya... That is a good point I'm considering for sure.

Seems to me that Front Runner keeps it high mainly so your can fit that bloomin $400 TABLE they offer under it... I wish they would release a low-profile mount for those who are skipping the table. I mean...it's a cool idea...but wow. That's a lot for a small folding table.

I'd almost feel COMPELLED to stick a table under there so the height bugs me less...

 

[Willy beamin]

@BTUMAN has different mounting feet than the rails mine came with. If I remember correctly he mentioned it was a low or lower profile. I could have misunderstood though.

 

[Markuson]

@BTUMAN has different mounting feet than the rails mine came with. If I remember correctly he mentioned it was a low or lower profile. I could have misunderstood though.

Hmm. I didn't see anything like that on the web site. They do call the current one "Slim-line II." Could it be that you have whatever came before that? Like... "Fatty Line I"?

I guess it might be "slim" compared with baja racks that have railing, etc.